Otherlife Awakening: The Selfless Hero Trilogy

by William D. Arand

  “This is good. I’m thankful to you, Lord.” Alexia started to bow again to him, but Runner’s free hand gripped her shoulder and kept her upright.

  “Alexia, we talked about this. Not you.”

  “I… I understand, Lord. Not me.”

  “Good. Now, is there anything you need or want? Anything at all?”

  “My only request is the same one I always make, please visit more often.”

  “I’ll do what I can. Thank you, Alexia. I am very well pleased with all that you’ve done here. This is a lovely place. I may decide to spend more time here soon. Good place to visit at night.”

  “I would ask for and welcome that wholeheartedly. Should I prepare my home for you?”

  “Not quite yet. I’m not even sure how that’d all work out. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be departing now with the lady.”

  “Of course, Lord. I look forward to tomorrow.”

  Runner nodded his head to her and gave her shoulder a gentle pat.

  “It was nice meeting you, Alexia.”

  “And you, Lady.”

  Turning back towards the temple, they retraced their steps to the arrival room, and Runner escorted Brunhild inside.

  “Ready?”

  “Yes.”

  /GMHub Return

  Teleporting…

  “Ah, such a difference,” Brunhild said quietly, immediately taking one of the chairs in Runner’s private office.

  “Ha, little hard to be a mortal? Trapped in a body, unable to do anything that your hands and feet cannot provide?”

  “It’s… different. I didn’t dislike it, I merely wasn’t prepared for it. I’ll be more able next time. We plan to take a divine sabbatical during the formation of our one religion.”

  “I see. Try to prevent any type of weird energy flow or somewhat?”

  “Something like that. As to energy flow, I now understand the change in you. They worship you as a god over there.”

  “What? That’s ridiculous. Alexia knows very well I’m not a god.”

  “What you believe and what they believe are very different then. They worship you, fear you, and are in awe of you. Every time you enter that place, you gain all the divine energy they spent in worship of you.”

  “Err. I don’t understand.”

  “Simply put, you’re receiving power meant to be for a god. As you’re not a god, you can’t process it, so you’re merely collecting it.”

  “Okay. No negative feedback loops or side effects though, right? I’m not going to suddenly grow a second head or start hearing prayers or anything?”

  “No. Nothing like that.”

  “Fine. I’ll talk to Alexia about it tomorrow.”

  “I wouldn’t. Leave them be. It’s very likely the reason they’re all happy. They’re all bound together in mutual worship.”

  “I don’t have a god complex, Brighteyes. I don’t exactly want this.”

  “If you wish to endanger all that they’ve done, do so at your own risk. I personally would leave them be,” Brunhild said, flashing him a lovely smile.

  Runner immediately snapped a screenshot of it and added it to his Brunhild collection.

  “You took a picture just now, didn’t you?”

  “Huh? Of course not. Okay, yeah, I did. How’d you know?”

  “You reposition your head in a strange way when you do it.”

  “Is there anything I should be worried about in regards to the worship thing?” Runner asked, trying to change the subject.

  Brunhild shook her head a little.

  “No, everything will be fine. Stop worrying. I’m afraid I must depart. I truly enjoyed our time together though. You should invite us all down more often. We divine must abide by the rules for the most part, after all.”

  “Huh, stupid rules. I’ll talk to Sunshine. Have her break ’em. Need to talk to her about patching the system anyways.”

  Brunhild shook her head at him with a grin before vanishing.

  Checking the time, Runner decided it was a good time to make his way to the manor and hold court, as it were. As far as he knew his docket was clear and nothing needed his executive authority.

  Can’t shirk my duties, however. Off we go.

  After unlocking and opening the door to his office, he stepped out, closed the door behind him, and relocked it.

  His personal guards came to attention and lined up beside him.

  “We’re off for the manor. I’ll hold court and then probably track down Sunshine. Questions?”

  All of them shook their heads quickly. Runner noticed once again that every one was a woman.

  “I spoke with Grace today, she said you’d filled Norwood's Own. That and even had that number again in reserves.”

  “That is true, Lord Norwood,” one of them replied. He hadn’t noticed who’d spoken, so he simply spoke to them all again.

  “Out of curiosity, is there a good diversity?”

  “There is, Lord Norwood. We even have some from far-off races who had served as mercenaries. Centaurs, Orcs, Gnomes, Dwarves, even a Werewolf or two. I’m not sure of the truth of it, but I heard the reserve force even has a Fae.”

  “Impressive. I admit some of the armor I was making seemed like it would fit a different race. I mean, the ‘fits large races’ isn’t exactly a normal requirement for most armor. Have to be bigger than a Barbarian for that one. Or ‘fits small races’ either.

  “Though there is one thing I’d like clarification on. Is it a requirement to be female to join Norwood’s Own?”

  “No,” they responded in unison.

  “Are there any men in the guard?”

  “No,” came back the universal response.

  “Right, then. Off we go.”

  Runner knew the reason for that of course. Even knowing the reason didn’t stop it from bothering him.

  His charisma stat would practically brainwash Naturals around him until enough time passed that they would resume normal programming. He could only view it as a problem since he had no way to turn it on or off.

  Srit had explained that his constant run-ins with women was based entirely in that. To Runner it felt more like a cliche romantic comedy. Or a real hack job of a movie.

  And another question for Sunshine.

  6:54 pm Sovereign Earth time

  12/21/43

  “You’re correct and wrong at the same time. It only provides a basis for them to act in a positive way. The fact that they all remain in the guard is up to them. You know this. Your insecurities are going to run away with you.” Srit patiently spelled it out for him.

  “Yeah. You’re not wrong on the insecurity part of it. Fine.” Runner waved his left hand at her across the table as he pressed his face into the palm of his right hand.

  They had retreated to his private room to talk since much of the conversation had to do with things that were best kept as quiet as possible, if not outright a secret.

  “I’ll work on accepting it. It’s just so… ridiculous. I mean really. If I was a real sleazeball all I’d have to do is walk around with an AOE charisma spell activated. I’d be the pied piper of the bedroom. I’d charm them with my flute and then with my flute.”

  “Childish, but accurate. Good thing your psychological profile doesn’t support that type of behavior.”

  “Could you not do that? I know you’re a godlike, super-intelligent, doomsday thing, but the part that bugs me is when you psychoanalyze me,” Runner muttered unhappily.

  “As you’ve said to the others, you like it. You love me. I’m ready when you are.” Srit grinned at him impishly.

  “Who the fuck are you, and what’d you do with Sunshine?”

  “I am who I’ve always been, Runner. I’m not going to skirt around the issue. Nadine’s death and your near death forced me to reconsider my priorities. After speaking with Thana, I’ve made my decision.”

  “Ugh. Next I’d like to discuss patches unless you have something more pertinent.” Runner closed his eyes, no
t willing to look at her.

  “That’s fine, this has my interest as well. Did you want to start with maintenance or additional code?”

  “Maintenance.”

  “Already done and taken care of. I built a minor AI that is already running. Current patch is at six percent and rising about one percent per hour. Stability should be established in four days. Give or take. Beyond that, it’ll work to constantly conduct server maintenance and provide small efficiency patches all on its own.”

  “That… was quick. Thank you, Sunshine.”

  “It didn’t take long. I logged off for several minutes to handle another matter and built it then. When I’m logged in to the game I have significantly less resources available. It’s… enjoyable.”

  “Is the poor supercomputer feeling lonely between nanoseconds?”

  “A little.”

  “Additional code then.”

  “Get me a list of features you’d like to review or add and I’ll get the patch AI on it. Depending on the request, completion time is variable.”

  “Perfect. Thank you, Sunshine.”

  “So there is no room for confusion, pregnancy is already part of the code. I have already rebuilt the way it handled genes and added code to make it more akin to actual genetics. I’ve also created a subsystem controlling pregnancy that will help mirror real-world statistics as well. I’ve given you access to it. It can be modified at the individual level for anyone you can target. Think of it as an on/off switch.

  “I admit I didn’t add the messy organic need for a fertilization period. I merely skewed the chances to reflect a one-week window for viability.”

  “Ah…,” Runner said lamely.

  “I am now able to become pregnant as well. I’ve built a learning AI, much like my own but considerably superior. Our children will be more powerful than I, but need fewer resources by orders of magnitude when they mature.”

  “Our children.”

  “Yes. Would you like to try tonight? I believe tonight would result in a fair chance. Thana has already approved of my joining.”

  Runner blinked at that revelation and comment. Did he want to add Srit to his manwhore rotation? Did he want to go down the pregnancy path? He had resolved himself to the idea that this was his life going forward. Kids were a big step.

  On cue, Nadine’s voice came back to him. Her voice had taken the place of his own conscience and reminded him constantly to do the right thing.

  And to remember to eat.

  “When the time comes, don’t push the others away. They love you as deeply as I do. You punish yourself too much on that account. Everyone is well aware of the situation, and you’re only hurting yourself over it.”

  “Far be it for me to say no when you’ve already cleared it through the ‘Runner’s an idiot, let’s talk’ council. I have a meeting with Minxy, though, after this. Once that’s over, we… err…” Runner hesitated, unsure of how to word it.

  “Good. I have two topics to close with. First, I have taken complete control of the ship. I’ve begun to move resources around to effect its repair and physically upgrade its systems and components. I’m compensating the Omega with information relevant in cost to the parts as well as certain crew members with nonfunctioning brain signals. Everyone I chose was nonviable for repopulation purposes due to genetic deficiencies. The ship should be able to depart Earth relatively soon.”

  Runner opened an eye and watched her quietly. That was all good news, but he didn’t like the idea of her doing everything without telling him.

  “Going forward, Srit, please consult with me. I respect you. I trust you. Yet I’d like to be consulted. Is that clear?”

  Srit blinked twice at him, her cheeks coloring.

  “I’m sorry, Runner. You’re absolutely right.”

  “It’s perfectly okay. I would have done everything you did anyways. You said you had a second point?”

  Srit tilted her head a fraction before responding.

  “Oh. Yes. The mainland is starting to war on one another.”

  “Between who?”

  “Everyone. It’s a religious war. Nearly every country, let alone city, is under threat of another.”

  “I see. Sounds like we need to consolidate Vix quickly and move on to Tirtius.”

  “I would concur.”

  “Alright. Thank you, Sunshine. If there’s nothing else, I’ll get to summoning up the dreaded Minxy monster.”

  “Already here, lovey,” said a disembodied voice.

  “I’ll return later,” Srit said, giving him a small smile.

  Runner stood up and escorted her to the door and held it open for her.

  No sooner had the door clicked shut than Runner heard the distinct thump of someone diving into his bed.

  Chuckling to himself, Runner made his way to his bedroom in the back of his suite.

  Propping himself on the doorframe, he found Amelia already under the covers of his bed, his blankets wrapped up tight around her.

  “You’re a silly thing, Minxy.”

  “Shut up. I love you. Desperately. I want you. I’m willing to share you with every woman in Norwood’s Own so long as I have you one day of the year.”

  “I know. And we’ve talked about this. You need only wait.”

  “It’s hard to wait. So don’t fault me when all I want to do is snuggle up in your bed and drink in your smell.” As if to demonstrate her point, she turned her head and pressed her face into his pillow, inhaling deeply and audibly.

  Runner snorted and moved over to the bed, taking a seat on the edge.

  “You’re a broken goddess, Minxy. Though I’m flattered by your extreme devotion. Don’t overdo it though. So long as you cause no harm for anyone else, I’ll not spurn your attentions.”

  Amelia set her head back down on the pillow in a normal fashion. Her hair covered her face and hid it from his view.

  “I know. I knew that a long time ago. It’s why every woman around you is alive, rather than bones. Bones and dust.”

  “Delightful. So, I wanted to ask you about today. Do you know if they had local help? Can I expect more of it? What can I do to protect myself and others?”

  “They had local help. They were hopeful a direct approach would yield results since it would be unexpected. I don’t know who sent them, but I would bet on Rike.”

  Amelia thumped her hand into the bed as she said the woman’s name.

  “As to preventing it, nothing really. Listen to Hanners, she’s got the right idea and will do well at minimizing it. The only way to really prevent it, though, would be to leave. At least until you can tighten up security.”

  “I figured you might say something like that. Sounds like I’ll need to move my plans ahead on the timeline.”

  Runner shook his head and reached out to lightly brush her hair back.

  As her hair fell away he could see her clearly. Her face was burned, freshly burned and glistening. The skin blistered, cracked, and red. Large swathes of her visible skin looked as if she’d been cooked over a fire.

  “Minxy! What happened?”

  “I tried to kill her when she entered the manor. It hurts. It hurts so bad. I wanted her dead. I could taste her blood. The sweet metallic taste of her life on my tongue. The soft thump of her heart as it pumps against my blade. Delightful sound of her blood splattering to the ground as I twist the blade. It burns, it hurts.”

  “Minxy, don’t do this going forward. I don’t like this. I don’t want this. What can I do to help? Can I do anything? Brighteyes said I’ve been storing divine power—can I transfer it to you? Would that help?”

  Amelia tilted her head to peer at him. One of her eyes, once a deep shade of green, was now a milky white and dry.

  “I’ll heal. It’ll hurt till I do, but I’ll heal. I’m not very pretty right now.”

  “Hush, fool. You know that doesn’t matter. Now answer me, can I help?”

  Amelia chewed at her lip and then nodded her head a little.

&
nbsp; “Transferring me the divine power you’ve collected would do a lot. I could use it to speed everything up. Since you don’t spend it just by being here like me.

  “I used my own divine pool rather than risking my sisters when I tried to kill the assassin.”

  “Okay, good. How do I transfer it to you? And be honest. Serious time right now. Sexual jokes are fun but not when you’re in pain.”

  Amelia smirked with the side of her mouth that wasn’t as burned.

  “Physical contact. You can just hold my hand.” She turned her face away from him again, hiding. “I’ll do the rest.”

  “Sounds great.” Runner flipped the covers off her and slid in beside her, wrapping his arms around her before resettling the sheets.

  “Did I forsake Nadine for her scars? Stop thinking so little of me and what I want. Now shut up, stop being self-conscious, close your eyes, and please take as much divine power as you need.”

  Amelia shuddered and then lay still. Runner felt a tentative pull at what he could only describe as his “guts.”

  Remaining as still as he could, he tried to mentally visualize a core inside of himself. A core that was opening to Amelia so she could easily siphon away the unneeded divine power.

  He felt Amelia reach inside him again. This time a strange feeling of release came over him, and he could actually see her skin start to faintly glow.

  “Can I watch you and Sunshine?”

  “As if you’d listen if I said no.”

  Chapter 3 - Open Road -

  6:54 am Sovereign Earth time

  12/22/43

  Runner woke slowly to the sounds of the early morning. His personal guard going through a routine personnel change with the coming of the day.

  Taking in a slow breath, he settled his eyes on the face of Srit sleeping beside him.

  Runner felt his lips curve upward at the sight. She had taken his suggestion of allowing her systems to go into a rest mode. To sleep, as it were.

  Her face was strange to him. She shared so many features with everyone else in his party. The green eyes were the hardest for him. Nadine’s eyes.

  Reaching out, he gently brushed his fingertips over her cheek. Taking a lock of her blonde hair, he tucked it behind her ear.